The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-05-28

sPARRows AND INDIAN CORN.
Sparrows were imported from Eng
land, ard even there farmers regarded
these little thieves rs about the wors:
possible nuisances. They are sure to
be even worse here, where they learn
new habits and lose some of the natu-
raj checks on their increase which kept
them in subsection in the old country.
One of their new requirements is in
destroying Indian corn. which English
farmers cannot grow. They attack
the ears while in the milk. tearing of
the husk as far as they can and eating
the ends of the ears. This, of course,
spoils them for marketing. Growers
of sweet corn are the worst sufferers,
as they often grow this crop in guam
tity near villages and cities, where the
sparrow finds shelter and food in Win
ter and is bred by the thousand in Sum.
mer Nothing but n war OF extermi-
nation can fully meet this evil wher-
ever III SHOWS llSell.
KEEP THE HANGERS CLEAN.
The more highbred and spirited the
horse the more dainty he will be about
his feed, and the greater care must be
taken to keep feed boxes and managers
free from filth. Almost any scrub
would, however, refuse to eat out OF
managers rs they often are left, with
portions of the unconsumed hay or
grain to be run over by the fowls while
the horse is away at work. This is
too common condition of many farm
ers' stables at this season. when in
creasing warmth dulls the appetite
and makes soiled food doubly offensive
by its decay. Many hard-worked
horse gets off his feed, as it is said,
and grows poor from this cause alone.
More care should be taken at this sea-
son to feed only what will be eaten
clean, either of hay. meal or grain.
If any remains when the horse is taken
out in the morning to work it should
be removed from the feed box and
given to some other animal that will
eat il outside of the stable.
IMPROVEMENT IN POTATOES.
The extraordinary increase in the
use of potatoes as food which has oc-
Cured within the last thirty years is
not altogether due to changes in popn-
lar taste. We like potatoes better, it
is true. but it is because they are better.
The Improvement in quality began with
the Goodrich Seedlings, whose mild
ness of flavor commended them to
many who had never been able to like
the coarse, strong-1avored varieties
which preceded them. A potato cook
ing dry and mealy is, of course, now
the kind required by the best standard
of excellence, though some old people
learned in their youth to like the
embarrassing kinds, and still prefer
them. Those who like soggy, coarse
potato can have it in any of the finest
varieties by leaving its top to be in
jured by the potato bug, or otherwise.
Occasionly we hear such persons prais-
ing the coarsest growing varieties as
most in accordance with their deprav-
ed taste, but such people are growing
fewer every year.
LICE ON POOR CALVES.
Currying calves with comb dipped
in kerosene is recommended ne good
way to cleanse them from lice. ANY
kind of oil will answer the same pur-
pose, as the vermin are killed by clos
ing the pores through which they
breathe. The best of oils to destroy
lice on cattle is that which comes
through their skins rs the result OF
good and careful feeding. Corn meal
and oil meal are excellent for this pur-
pose, making the coat glossy and Civ
ing the skin velvety softness indica-
tive of thrift. But where animals are
very poor their digestion is weakened
and strong or oily food must be given
with great care. A spoonful of linseed
meal mixed with bran is enough to be-
gin with. This, II digested, is bettfr
than more. which would only clog >
stomach and make the coat more rough
and starry than before. 1t is a good
plan to give all young calves little
linseed meal. 1t promotes thrift and
and makes growth as well as fat. 1t
is not safe to feed cotton-seed meal 10
calves or any Young stock, as they are